Cardboard Lampshade

When we found this retro style gooseneck lamp at the thrift store, little did I know that there was a cardboard lampshade makeover in store for it! I love the orange colour so was going to use it as is for craft studio lighting! But I couldn’t help tweaking it just a bit!

While our cardboard lampshade has a retro vibe, you could easily do this project with any style lamp or lampshade.

Can you guess what we used as the cardboard component?

If you guessed we used a tissue box, you'd be right!

Please be sure to read the safety note in Step 1 before purchasing supplies.

• A19 non dimmable LED light bulb (daylight) or soft white are two colours I like. Also be sure to purchase the base that fits your particular lamp (ie an A12 for candelabra size if that’s the bulb your lamp requires).
• Empty tissue box - I only needed one but if your lampshade is bigger you'll need more
• 3/4″ circle punch
• Glue tape (this one is a permanent bond). I find the ones from the dollar store tend to break.

Before proceeding with this project, please keep the following two caveats top of mind!

1. Only use an LED bulb for this project
2. Do not cover ventilation holes in the lampshade (more about that later)

You’re probably not thinking about tissue box crafts when you’re purchasing your paper products and until now, I didn’t either. However, I do make Hubs move mountains just to get at the pretty boxes I want :). Do you do that too? Anyway, I was just about to recycle this tissue box, when I noticed just how beautiful it is. Tissue box artwork can be amazing, so why let it go to waste?

Be sure to watch the video at the beginning for all our tips and tricks for this fun craft!

To capture all that beautiful pattern, we’re going to cover the lampshade with cardboard circles! But first, you’ll have to carefully pull apart the box and flatten it.

I’m using a 3/4″ punch to create the cardboard circles. This ‘rabbit’ is from bygone days when I was fashion designer. But any sturdy circle cutter will do and if you can't find a 3/4" punch you can easily use another size.

These circle cutouts are going to be so pretty once combined! If they work on a tissue box, they’ll certainly work on a lampshade!

Carefully remove the plastic from the back of the cardboard; the glue does not stick well to the plastic if you leave it on.

For the starter row, I’m taking advantage of the natural bend in the box by letting the crease fall in the middle of the cardboard circle. You don't have to do this, but I like the effect; it reminds me of a venus fly trap!

Apply the first row of cardboard circles with the crease falling along the edge of the metal lampshade.

To secure them, I initially thought that double sided tape would do the job but it actually doesn’t stick well. Specifically, translucent tape with adhesive on both sides, like you see above, is one that doesn’t work for this application.

What you actually need is tape glue; it dispenses a thin layer of adhesive only.

Only apply glue on the back side of the cardboard to the very top of the circle. No need to glue any more than that because you only need to adhere to the metal - not any overlapping cardboard. Learning to apply it takes some getting use to, so practice the technique first.

The one I bought from the dollar store immediately unravelled which made it impossible to use, so purchase a better brand like this one. It’s better to spend the extra money so you get one that actually works. There’s nothing worse than trying to manually transfer the glue from the sheet of film (trust me on that)!

Position the cardboard circles edge to edge as tight as they can go - just like shingles.

Sixteen cardboard circles happened to fit perfectly around this particular lampshade! However your fit will differ depending on the style of lampshade and size.

Here’s how to do the second row with a proper stagger. Position the bottom of the circle against the edge of the lampshade in between two circles in the preceding row. Then ensure the circle is centred – envision an imaginary line. Don’t worry that you still see an orange gap. On the remaining rows that gap may getting bigger or smaller. But it doesn’t matter because that gap gets covered up on the next row.

The only thing different on the 3rd, and subsequent rows, is that the bottom of the circle should be touching the top of the circle from the previous row, as you see above.

I continued on in that manner for 9 rows. Then I stopped short of the vent holes. You don’t want to cover up the vent holes with cardboard; even an LED bulb has to ‘breathe’. Ironically, I ran out of cardboard squares anyway, so the timing couldn’t be more perfect!

The last pic shows a closeup of the cardboard embellishment. Because of the curve of the lampshade, you won’t even notice that your pattern doesn’t continue all the way. All you notice is the cool scallop effect.

Please craft responsibly by inserting an LED bulb into the gooseneck lamp. If all you have is an incandescent bulb, don’t use it – cardboard and heat do not mix.

Here’s a reminder of the before. And now? Would you have guessed that cardboard from a tissue box could transform a lampshade?

We have one more unique idea on how to cover a lampshade (this one’s an interchangeable slipcover so you can change it on a whim!)

Look how nicely this project ties in with our acrylic pour painting butterfly!

Do you feel ready to try your hand at this lampshade makeover DIY? If you like to learn new skills, don’t forget to get your craft mojo on at Birdz of a Feather and subscribe! You can also follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.